Actually, Max Verstappen could book the Monaco Grand Prix as a small victory. But father Jos sees it differently. After the race in the principality, the former Formula 1 driver sharply criticized Red Bull, the FIA, Pirelli and his own command post.
For quite a few, Max Verstappen was one of the secret winners of the Formula 1 race in Monaco. The world champion eventually improved from fourth to third place, which is not common on the “anti-overtaking circuit”. He also increased his lead in the world championship standings over Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc from six to nine points.
Everything in butter so? Not at all. In retrospect, father Jos Verstappen criticizes sharply. Not because of his son, but because of the team, the race director and the tire manufacturer. In a post on the official website of Max Verstappen Jos let his frustration run wild. His first goal: the race control.
“To be honest, I didn’t leave Monaco with a good feeling. And that’s putting it mildly,” wrote Jos Verstappen. “First of all, I think they should have started the race at 3 p.m. At the moment, it seems like everyone at race control is stressed out as soon as there are first signs of a few drops of rain,” he said an hour delayed start.
Yes, there would have been chaos if the start was on time, Verstappen admitted: “But that’s what people want to see.” Those responsible needed a better plan. “Now we get starts behind the safety car, which takes the drivers’ skills out of the game. […] We live in a competitive and professional sport. Things like that shouldn’t happen,” rumbled the former Formula 1 driver.
Verstappen criticizes Red Bull
Tire manufacturer Pirelli also got his fat off the senior. It was “incredible” how little grip the drivers had on the full rain tires. “It’s been like this for quite a while. They have to do something about it. They have to make sure that their tires can handle three centimeters of water,” Verstappen told Pirelli.
The next victim of the all-round attack was, of all people, his own son’s team. “Max’s third place was very disappointing. It was a difficult weekend for him. And that starts with the car, which still doesn’t suit his driving style. Max has far too little grip on the front axle. Especially in Monaco you need but a car that gives in quickly. That was just tough, “Verstappen criticized the RB18.
“They did little to help Max up front”
But not only the material, but also the approach of his own command post annoyed Verstappen. “They did little to help Max up front. The leader of the World Cup didn’t get any strategy help. Everything went well for Checo. That disappointed me. I would have wished for something else for a World Cup leader,” Jos Verstappen criticized Red Bull team.
In the end, however, Papa Verstappen also had to admit that his assessment may not be beyond doubt. “Of course I’m not completely objective. I just think that ten points were thrown away for Max.”
All in all he is happy for Sergio Pérez because: “Winning in Monaco is something special and I hope he enjoys it.”